Twelve Great Olympians

Titans Titans were called ‘Elder Gods’ Supreme in the universe Enormous size and incredible strength Only a few appeared in mythology stories Notable Titans: Hyperion – father of the sun, the moon, and the dawn Notable Titans: Helios – Hyperion’s son – Sun-god (grandfather of Medea)

Olympians Supreme among the gods who succeeded to Titans Called Olympians because Olympus was their home Family of 12 Olympians

1. Zeus Roman Name: Jupiter Chief Supreme ruler Lord of the Sky, Rain-god, Cloud-gatherer Wielded the awful thunderbolt Power was greater than all other divinities together He could be opposed and deceived

2. Poseidon Roman Name: Neptune Zeus’s brother God of the Sea Earth-Shaker of earthquakes Second in importance Symbol is a trident

3. Hades Roman Name: Pluto Zeus and Poseidon’s brother God of the underworld Often modernized as Grim Reaper even though he is not Symbol: Three-headed dog named Cerberus

4. Hestia Roman Name: Vesta Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades’s sister Goddess of home Right ordering of domesticity and the family, who received the first offering at every sacrifice in the household Symbol: Hearth

5. Hera Roman Name: Juno Zeus’s wife AND older sister Goddess of women and marriage Symbol: Peacock feather

6. Ares Roman Name: Mars Zeus’s and Hera’s son God of war Bloodlust Symbol: Burning torch or spear

7. Athena Roman Name: Minerva Zeus and Hera’s daughter Goddess of wisdom Virgin patron of Athens Symbol: Owl

8. Apollo Roman Name: Apollo Zeus and Hera’s son God of light, truth, and beauty Has a twin sister, Artemis God of music and poetry

9. Aphrodite Roman name: Venus Zeus and Hera’s daughter Goddess of love, beauty, and raw sexuality Symbol: Dolphin or Rose

10. Artemis Roman Name: Diana Twin sister to Apollo Daughter to Zeus and Hera Virgin goddess of the hunt, virginity, archery and all animals Symbols include moon, deer, bow and arrow.

11. Hephaestus Roman Name – Vulcan Son to HERA – either by Zeus or alone Master blacksmith and craftsmen to the gods God of fire and forge Symbols: fire and ax Married to Aphrodite

12. Hermes Roman Name: Mercury Son of Zeus and nymph Maia Messenger of the Gods God of commerce and thieves Symbol: Winged sandals or shoes

Other gods to mention Dionysus Roman Name – Bacchus Son of Zeus and mortal woman God of wine, celebration, and theater Symbols: grapevine, ivy Festival of Dionysus in Athens